Torpedo.



W. l. PETERS.

TORPEDO. APPLICATION FILED JULY 20. 1911.

Patented Sept. 17,1918.

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WILLIAM JOHN PETERS, OF GREAT KILLS, NEW YORK.

TORPEDO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 17, 1918.

Application filed July 20, 1917. Serial No. 181,670.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVILLIAM JOHN Pn'rnns, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Great Kills, Staten Island, county of Richmond and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Torpedoes, of which the following is a true and complete specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in torpedoes, a particular object of the invention being to provide a torpedo Which will prove positive and effective in combating submarines, although it will be understood that the same may be used against other types of water craft or against other objectives.

With the previously known types of torpedoes in present use submarines were practically immune from attack after they submerged; so that if the opportunity to destroy the same while on the surface or while the periscope was visible was lost the submarine in most cases escaped unharmed. The torpedo according to the present invention is such that it will literally hunt out the submarine attach itself thereto and explode with the full explosive force directed against a vital part thereof. To this end I propose to provide a torpedo which may be set to travel in a circle or other given path so as to traverse the course of the submerged submarine, and which when the torpedo comes into proximity with the submarine will be drawn thereto by magnetic force, and will attach itself securely to the side and will then explode. I also propose to provide means for propelling the torpedo from the firing base or mother ship, at the same time enabling the recovery thereof should it fail to hit its objective. Another object isto provide means to enable the torpedo to be drawn to the submarine, and attach itself thereto, should the submarine pass between the surface of the water and the torpedo, which it will be understood travels at a considerable depth. A still further object is to provide an improved automatic rudder control device which will guide the torpedo over a given course, such for instance as back and forth over a certain area.

With these and other objects in view, an embodiment of my invention is shown, by way of example, in the accompanying dra wings, and will be hereinafter more fully described with reference thereto, and the invention finally pointed outin the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my torlpedg: showing same as it appears after being Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof with the buoy removed;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional v1ew;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the torpedo in engagement with the side of a submarine;

Fig. 5 is a view of the torpedo;

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross section taken along the line 66 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the electromagnets employed on the buoy cable;

Fig. 8 is a side view of a form of rudder control device employed with my improved torpedo; and

Fig. 9 is an end view thereof.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, the embodiment of my invention which I have illustrated, comprises a cylindrical shell 10, preferably formed of aluminum or some other suitable material not affected by magnetic forces, and mounted upon a metal frame 11 which projects rearwardly of the shell 10 forming a bracket support for the propeller shaft 12 which extends longitudinally through the shell and through a hearing 13 provided in the upright portion 14 of the said bracket support. A screw propeller 15 is mounted upon the said shaft within the bracket and a rudder comprising members 16 and 17 is disposed abOXG and below the projecting end 18 of the propeller shaft. These members 16 and 17 are pivoted upon supports 19, and may be securely set, so as to compel the torpedo to travel in a given direction, by means of nuts 20, adapted to be tightened against the supports 19.

The extremity of the projecting end 18 of the propeller shaft is connected by a front plate of the universal connection 21, to a cable or other extensible member 22, which is connected to a motor provided on the mother ship, or firing base, and which is adapted, as will be hereinafter more fully pointed out, to rotate the propeller shaft.

an aeroplane or other suitable base,

ated through the member 22 from The torpedo ispreferably fired from the torpedo tube, or the same may be fired from a cannon on a ship, or may be dropped from c with the front end, that is the end opposite to the propeller, at the rear of the torpedo so that the propeller end strikes the water first. For this purpose a plate 23 is provided upon the front end of the torpedo which after the same strikes the water drops off. Also in order to protect the propeller and rudder,a

float member 24 is mounted thereon, being provided with a slot 25 therein which embraces the bracket frame 11, the propeller and rudder. Theend of this float 24 is preferably pointed so that the torpedo moves easily into the water without resistance. When the torpedo is launchedthe float 24 which is constructed of buoyant material being slotted at 25 so that it may get clear of the framell and the propeller, floats off the torpedo exposing the propeller shaft and rudder, and thereupon the propeller is operthe firing base. The weight of the forward end of the torpedo causes the same to take a leading position and drop to a depth which is de-' 'termined by a floating buoy'26, which is con nected to the torpedo by cables 27 and 28 which may be of any suitable length, dependent upon the depth at which it is desired to position the torpedo, it being understood that normally the torpedo travels level or 'on an even keel.

will

By setting therudders it will be understood'that the torpedo may be made 'to travel in a wide circle which is previously estimated to surround the submerged submarine so that the submarine in endeavoring to escape will cross the path of the torpedo. It be understood that the same may be made to take any desired. direction by a rotating rudder, or the like. Should the torpedo fail to hit the objective the propeller may be stopped or reversed and the torpedo thereby retrieved. V

The shell l0 of the torpedois'closed at its forward end by means of a plate 29. having two series of annular perforations 30 and 31 therein closed by a thin metaliplate 30 and at its rear end by means of a plate 32, having an opening 33 provided with packing 33 in which is disposed the propeller "shaft 12. The propeller shaft 12 is movable longientering tudinally with respect to the torpedo, but during the movement of the torpedo is held in a given position by means of a helical s rin 34 disposed between the plate 32 and a collar 35 provided on the shaft. VA sleeve 34 protectsthe, spring from water'and packing 35 011 the collar 35 prevents water from the springand the interior of the shell. Thus it"will be seen that should the torpedo meet resistance in the water thecontinned rotation of the propeller will cause therefor in the forward plate 29 of the shell,

thereby providing a powerful 'magnetic force exerted in a forward direction from the shell, 'this'force being nullified laterally by means of the aluminum or other nonmagnetical ly affected material of which the cylindrical part of the shell is constructed.

In the forward portion ofthe shell there is provided an explosive charge42, inclosed in a casing 42, having a pair of percussion caps 43 connected thereto and in proximity to the propeller shaft. -Upon the propeller shaft and at a distance rearwardly of the percussion caps "43, a contact member 44 is provided, adapted to contact with said caps when the propeller shaft is moved forwardly with respect to the torpedo. V V

The forward end of the propeller shaft isexposed and is provided with a drill head 45 which terminates in ascrew threaded portion 46. At suitable intervals alongthe propeller shaft there are provided ball bearings 47 and 48 disposed between the shaft and sleeve portion 47 and 46 to permit the propeller shaft rotating with the least 7 These el.e'ctromagnets'are of a peculiar con-'- struction, being vprovided with spring pressed wedgemembers 40 which engage the cable and which permit of the cables moving upwardly in relation to the magnets, so asrto carry the torpedo upward. The purpose of thesemagnets is to direct the torpedo toward the submarine should the submarine traverse a path intermediate the surface of the water and the torpedo. The magnets attach themselves to the submarine and the movement of the submarine will cause the lower portion of the cable to move upwardly drawing the torpedo toward the submarine until the torpedo comes into such proximity to the submarine that its own magnetic force causes to move into engagement with the submarme. a

The operation of my improved torpedo previous to its coming into contact with a submarine has been described above. The operation of the torpedo when it comes into proximity to a submarine is as follows: The steel side of the submarine, or it will be understood other watercraft or objective, 'by reason of the magnetic force of the torpedo draws the torpedo toward the steel side until the front face of the torpedo comes into contact therewith. Thereupon the movement of the torpedo is resisted, but the propeller continues to rotate and this continued rotation of the propeller is resolved into a component of force which moves the propeller shaft inwardly and the drill head bores into the steel side of the submarine. As this boring action continues the threads d6 come into contact with the hole formed in the side of the submarine and thereby the torpedo is securely attached. The propeller shaft c011- tinues its inward movement until finally the contact member 4A engages the percussion caps 43 and explodes the charge, the openings and 31 of the forward plate 29 directing the full force of this charge against the side of the submarine, thereby tearing a hole in the side of the submarine, and bringing about its destruction.

It will be understood that where a torpedo made according to my invention is directed against an immovable object, as for instance, an anchored ship or agalnst an always visible object, the rudders may be set in such a manner as to cause the torpedo to run straight, and if desired the magnets may be dispensed with. My torpedo it will be seen is inexpensive and simple in construction and positive and effectual in operation dispensing with the necessity for individual aropelling means contained in each torpedo. fhe securing of the torpedo to the objective by means of a drill and the timing of the explosion of the torpedo will enable the same to be fired in a manner as to be most destructive.

In Figs. 8 and 9 I have shown a form of automatic rudder control device adapted to cause the torpedo to run back and forth over a given area. A collar is provided on the propeller shaft 51, upon which is provided a pawl or finger 52, which upon each revolution of the shaft engages a tooth of the large gear wheel 53 moving the same, this in turn operates a pinion 54 provided thereon, upon which there is provided a pawl 55 which engages and intermittently turns a second gear wheel 56. A pawl 57 is provided on this gear wheel 56 which during the revolution thereof engages an arm 58 provided on the rudder, 59, thereby turning the same and causing the torpedo to turn in the water. Springs 60 on the rudder hold the same normally in straight position, and when the rudder is released by the pawl the same again assumes a straight position. In this way the torpedo takes a back and forth course in the water over a distance depending on the number of teeth on the large gear wheels. which it will be understood may be changed as desired.

I have illustrated a preferred and satisfactory embodiment of my invention, but it is obvious that changes may be made therein within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A torpedo of the character described comprising a shell, an explosive carried therein, a propeller on said shell, and a propelling cable connected to said propeller and adapted to turn the same.

2. The combination with a firing base of a torpedo comprising a shell, an explosive carried therein, a propeller on said shell, and a propelling cable connected to said propeller extending to said firing base and adapted to turn said propeller.

3. A torpedo provided with a rotary propeller, and a rotary propelling cable connected to said propeller and adapted to turn the same and to travel with the torpedo.

4. A torpedo provided with a rotary propeller normally moving forward in unison with the torpedo, but movable lengthwise independently of the torpedo when the latter strikes, and means, controlled by such longitudinal movement of the propeller, for firing the torpedo.

5. A torpedo of the character described comprising a shell, an explosive carried therein, a propeller on said shell, a propelling cable connected to said propeller adapted to turn the same, a buoy, and means connecting said buoy to said shell.

6. A torpedo provided with a rotary propeller and with a drill operatively connected with said propeller and located at the forward end of the torpedo.

7. A torpedo of the character described comprising a shell construct-ed of non-magnetically affected material, an explosive carried therein, a propeller on said shell, a magnet in said shell, the magnetic force of said magnet being directed forwardly of said shell, a buoy, means connecting said buoy to said shell, and a plurality of magnets on said connecting means, and means for preventing upward movement of said magnets on said connecting means, and permitting the downward movement thereof.

8. A torpedo of the character described comprising a shell, an explosive carried therein, a propeller shaft extending therethrough, a propeller on one end of said shaft, a drill 0n the other end of said shaft, and means for permitting the forward movement of the propeller shaft and drill relative to the torpedo.

9. A torpedo of the character described comprising a shell, an explosive carried therein, a propeller shaft extending therethrough, a propeller on one end of said shaft, a drill on the other end of said shaft, a spring adapted to maintain said propeller at a given position during the forward movement of said shell, said spring permitting the forward movement of said shaft with re spect to said shell when said shell is resisted,

and firing means forsaid explosive adapted latter. level at the desired. depth, and magto be operated When said propeller shaft is netic means on said connection for giving moved forwardly with respect to said shell. the torpedo aninoli-ned position. 7 1o .10. A torpedo adapted to travel sub- In testimony that I claim the foregoing 5 merged, a buoy adapted to travel on the suras my invention; I ,haye signed my name. face, a flexible connection extending from. I V r the bnoy to the torpedo; to normally hold the WILLIAM J GEN PETERS.

:Copies .of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, p.10. 7 

